One question, My Lord, Sparhawk said. The activities of this Cammorian Knight have a familiar ring to them. Can you describe him and his underlings to us?
The knight himself is a tall man with an arrogant bearing. One of his companions is a huge brute, scarcely human. The other is a rabbity fellow with an excessive fondness for strong drink.
Sounds a bit like some old friends, doesnt it? Kalten said to Sparhawk. Was there anything unusual about this knight?
His hair was absolutely white, Alstrom replied, and he was not that old.
Martel certainly moves around, doesnt he? Kalten observed.
You know this man, Sir Kalten? the baron asked.
The white-haired man is named Martel, Sparhawk explained. His two hirelings are Adus and Krager. Martels a renegade Pandion Knight who hires out his services in various parts of the world. Most recently, hes been working for the Primate of Cimmura.
But what would be the Primates purpose in fomenting discord between Gerrich and me?
Youve already touched on that, My Lord, Sparhawk replied. The Preceptors of the four militant orders are firmly opposed to the notion of Annias sitting on the Archprelates throne. They will be present and voting during the election in the Basilica of Chyrellos, and their opinion carries great weight with the Hierocracy. Moreover, the Knights of the Church would respond immediately to the first hint of any irregularities in the election. If Annias is to succeed, he must get the Church Knights out of Chyrellos before the election. We were recently able to thwart a plot that Martel was hatching in Rendor that would have pulled the Knights out of the Holy City. Its my guess that this unhappy affair you told us about is yet another. Martel, acting on orders from Annias, is roaming the world building bonfires in the hope that sooner or later the Knights of the Church will be forced to move out of Chyrellos to extinguish them.
Is Annias truly so depraved? Ortzel asked.
Your Grace, Annias will do anything to ascend that throne. Im positive that hed order the massacre of half of Eosia to get what he wants.
How is it possible for a Churchman to stoop so low?
Ambition, Your Grace, Bevier said sadly. Once it sinks its claws into a mans heart, the man becomes blind to all else.
This is all the more reason to get my brother safely to Chyrellos, Alstrom said gravely. He is much respected by the other members of the Hierocracy, and his voice will carry great weight in their deliberations.
I must advise you and your brother, My Lord Alstrom, that there is a certain risk involved in your plan, Sparhawk warned them. We are being pursued. There are those bent on thwarting us in our quest. Since your brothers safety is your first concern, I should tell you that I cannot guarantee it. The ones who are pursuing us are determined and very dangerous. He spoke obliquely, since neither Alstrom or Ortzel would give him much credence if he told them the bald truth about the nature of the Seeker.
Im afraid I have no real choice in the matter, Sir Sparhawk. With this anticipated siege hanging over my head, I have to get my brother out of the castle, no matter what the risk.
As long as you understand, My Lord, Sparhawk sighed. Our mission is of the gravest urgency, but this matter overshadows even that.
Sparhawk! Sephrenia gasped.
We have no choice, little mother, he told her. We absolutely must get His Grace safely out of Lamorkand and to Chyrellos. The Baron was right. If anything happens to his brother, the Church Knights will ride out of Chyrellos to retaliate. Nothing could prevent it. Well have to take His Grace to the Holy City and then try to make up for lost time.
What precisely is the object of your search, Sir Sparhawk? the Patriarch of Kadach asked.
As Sir Ulath explained, we are forced to resort to magic to restore the Queen of Elenia to health, and theres only one thing in the world with that much power. Were on our way to the great battlefield at Lake Randera to seek out the jewel which once surmounted the royal crown of Thalesia.
Bhelliom? Ortzel was shocked. Surely you would not bring that accursed thing to light again?
We have no choice, Your Grace. Only Bhelliom can restore my queen.
But Bhelliom is tainted. All the wickedness of the Troll-Gods infects it.
The Troll-Gods arent all that bad, Your Grace, Ulath said. Theyre capricious, Ill grant you, but theyre not truly evil.
The Elene God forbids consorting with them.
The Elene God is wise, Your Grace, Sephrenia told him. He has also forbidden contact with the Gods of Styricum. He made an exception to his prohibition, however, when the time came to form the militant orders. The Younger Gods of Styricum agreed to assist Him in His design. One wonders if He might not also be able to enlist the aid of the Troll-Gods. He is, I understand, most persuasive.
Blasphemy! Ortzel gasped.
No, Your Grace, not really. I am Styric and therefore not subject to Elene theology.
Hadnt we better get going? Ulath suggested. Its a long ride to Chyrellos, and we need to get His Grace out of this castle before the fighting starts.
Well put, my laconic friend, Tynian approved.
I shall make ready at once, Ortzel said, going to the door. We will be able to depart within the hour. And he went out.
How long do you think its likely to be before the counts forces reach here, My Lord? Tynian asked the baron.
No more than a day, Sir Tynian. I have friends who are impeding his march northward from his keep, but he has a sizeable army, and Im certain he will soon break his way through.
Talen, Sparhawk said sharply, put it back.
The boy made a wry face and laid a small dagger with a jewelled hilt back on the table from which he had taken it. I didnt think you were watching, he said.
Dont ever make that mistake, Sparhawk said. I always watch you.
The baron looked puzzled.
The boy has not yet learned to grasp some of the finer points of property ownership, My Lord, Kalten said lightly. Weve been trying to teach him, but hes a slow learner.
Talen sighed and took up his sketch pad and pencil. Then he sat at a table on the far side of the room and began to draw. He was, Sparhawk remembered, very talented.
I am most grateful to you all, gentlemen, the baron was saying. The safety of my brother has been my only concern. Now I shall be able to concentrate on the business at hand. He looked at Sparhawk. Do you think you might possibly encounter this Martel person during the course of your quest?
I most certainly hope so, Sparhawk said fervently.
And is it your intention to kill him?
Thats been Sparhawks intention for the last dozen years or so, Kalten said. Martel sleeps very lightly when Sparhawks in the same kingdom with him.
May God aid your arm then, Sir Sparhawk, the baron said. My son will rest more peacefully once his betrayer joins him in the House of the Dead.
The door burst open, and Sir Enmann hurried into the room. My Lord! he said to Alstrom in urgent tones, come quickly!
Alstrom came to his feet. What is it, Sir Enmann?
The door burst open, and Sir Enmann hurried into the room. My Lord! he said to Alstrom in urgent tones, come quickly!
Alstrom came to his feet. What is it, Sir Enmann?
Count Gerrich has deceived us. He has a fleet of ships on the river, and even now his forces are landing on both sides of this promontory.
Sound the alarm! the baron commanded, and raise the drawbridge!
At once, My Lord. Enmann hurried from the room.
Alstrom sighed bleakly. Im afraid its too late, Sir Sparhawk, he said. Both your quest and the task I set you are doomed now. We are under siege, and we will all be trapped within these walls for a number of years, I fear.
Chapter 5
The booming crash of boulders slamming against the walls of Alstroms castle came with monotonous regularity as the siege engines of Count Gerrich moved into place and began pounding the fortress.
Sparhawk and the others had remained in the cheerless, weapon-cluttered room at Alstroms request, and they sat awaiting his return.
Ive never been under siege before, Talen said, looking up from his drawings. How long do they usually last?
If we cant come up with a way to get out of here, youll be shaving by the time its over, Kurik told him.
Do something, Sparhawk, the boy said urgently.
Im open to suggestions.
Talen looked at him helplessly.
Baron Alstrom came back into the room. His face was bleak. Im afraid were completely encircled, he said.
A truce, perhaps? Bevier suggested. Its customary in Arcium to grant safe passage to women and Churchmen before pressing a siege.
Unfortunately, Sir Bevier, Alstrom replied, this is not Arcium. This is Lamorkand, and theres no such thing as a truce here.
Any ideas? Sparhawk asked Sephrenia.
A few, perhaps, she said. Let me have a try at your excellent Elene logic. First, the use of main force to break out of the castle is quite out of the question, wouldnt you say?
Absolutely.
And, as you pointed out, a truce would probably not be honoured?
I certainly wouldnt want to gamble His Graces life or yours on a truce.
Then theres the possibility of stealth. I dont think that would work either, do you?
Too risky, Kalten agreed. The castle is surrounded, and the soldiers will be on the alert for people trying to sneak out.
Subterfuge of some kind? she asked.
Not under these circumstances, Ulath said. The troops surrounding the castle are armed with crossbows. Wed never get close enough to tell them stories.
That leaves only the arts of Styricum, doesnt it?
Ortzels face stiffened. I will not be a party to the use of heathen sorcery, he declared.
I was afraid he might look at it that way, Kalten murmured to Sparhawk.
Ill try to reason with him in the morning, Sparhawk replied under his breath. He looked at Baron Alstrom. Its late, My Lord, he said, and were all tired. Some sleep might clear our heads and hint at other solutions.
Well said, Sir Sparhawk, Alstrom agreed. My servants will convey you and your companions to safe quarters, and we shall consider this matter further on the morrow.
They were led through the bleak halls of Alstroms castle to a wing that, while comfortable, showed little signs of use. Supper was brought to them in their rooms, and Sparhawk and Kalten removed their armour. After they had eaten, they sat talking quietly in the chamber they shared.
I could have told you that Ortzel would feel the way he does about magic. The Churchmen here in Lamorkand feel almost as strongly about it as Rendors.
If itd been Dolmant, we might have talked our way around him, Sparhawk agreed glumly.
Dolmants more cosmopolitan, Kalten said. He grew up next door to the Pandion Mother-house, and he knows a great deal more about the secrets than he lets on.
There was a light rap on the door. Sparhawk rose and answered it. It was Talen. Sephrenia wants to see you, he told the big knight.
All right. Go to bed, Kalten. Youre still looking a bit worse for wear. Lead the way, Talen.
The boy took Sparhawk to the end of the corridor and tapped on the door.
Come in, Talen, Sephrenia replied.
How did you know it was me? Talen asked curiously as he opened the door.
There are ways, she said mysteriously. The small Styric woman was gently brushing Flutes long black hair. The child had a dreamy look on her small face, and she was humming to herself contentedly. Sparhawk was startled. It was the first vocal sound he had ever heard her utter. If she can hum, why is it she cant talk? he asked.
Whatever gave you the idea she cant talk? Sephrenia continued her brushing.
She never has.
What does that have to do with it?
What did you want to see me about?
Its going to take something rather spectacular to get us out of here, she replied, and I may need your help and that of the others to manage it.
All you have to do is ask. Have you got any ideas?
A few. Our first problem is Ortzel, though. If he bows his neck on this, well never get him out of the castle.
Suppose I just hit him on the head before we leave and tie him across his saddle until were safely away?
Sparhawk, she chided him.
It was a thought, he shrugged. What about Flute here?
What about her?
She made those soldiers on the docks at Vardenais and the spies outside the chapterhouse ignore us. Couldnt she do that here too?
Do you realize how large that army outside the gate is, Sparhawk? Shes just a little girl, after all.
Oh. I didnt know that would make a difference.
Of course it does.
Couldnt you put Ortzel to sleep? Talen asked her. You know, sort of wiggle your fingers at him until he drops off?
Its possible, I suppose.
Then he wont know you used magic to get us out of here until he wakes up.
Interesting notion, she conceded. How did you come up with it?
Im a thief, Sephrenia, he grinned impudently. I wouldnt be very good at it if I couldnt think faster than the other fellow.
However we manage Ortzel is beside the point, Sparhawk said. Our main concern is getting Alstroms co-operation. He might be a little reluctant to risk his brothers life on something he doesnt understand. Ill talk with him in the morning.
Be very persuasive, Sparhawk, Sephrenia said.
Ill try. Come along, Talen. Let the ladies get some sleep. Kalten and I have a spare bed in our room. You can sleep there. Sephrenia, dont be afraid to call on me and the others if you need help with any spells.
Im never afraid, Sparhawk not when I have you to protect me.
Stop that, he told her. Then he smiled. Sleep well, Sephrenia.
You too, dear one.
Good night, Flute, he added.
She blew him a little trill on her pipes.
The following morning, Sparhawk rose early and went back into the main part of the castle. As chance had it, he encountered Sir Enmann in the long, torchlit corridor. How do things stand? he asked the Lamork knight.